Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): Complete Notes & MCQs for SSC, UPSC & State PCS
Hello Aspirants! Welcome to this comprehensive and exam-oriented guide on the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). Whether you are preparing for SSC CGL, Railway NTPC, State PCS, or UPSC exams, DPSP is a high-weightage and recurring topic in the Indian Polity section.
In simple words, DPSPs are the “guidelines” or “instructions” given to the Central and State governments to keep in mind while framing laws and policies. Their primary aim is to establish a Welfare State in India.
1. Basic Facts of DPSP (Quick Revision Points)
- Part of Constitution: Part IV
- Articles: Article 36 to 51
- Borrowed From: Ireland (The Irish Constitution of 1937, which originally copied it from the Spanish Constitution).
- Nature: Non-justiciable (You cannot go to court if the government fails to implement them).
- Important Committee: The Tej Bahadur Sapru Committee (1945) recommended dividing individual rights into two distinct categories: Justiciable (Fundamental Rights) and Non-justiciable (DPSP).
- Special Mentions: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar called them the “Novel Features” of the Indian Constitution. They closely resemble the “Instrument of Instructions” enumerated in the Government of India Act of 1935.
2. Classification of DPSP
The Constitution of India does not formally classify DPSPs. However, based on their content and direction, they are broadly divided into three categories:
- Socialistic Principles: Aim to reduce inequality, provide social & economic justice, and set the path towards a welfare state. (Articles 38, 39, 39A, 41, 42, 43, 43A, 47)
- Gandhian Principles: Based on Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology and reconstruction program championed during the national movement. (Articles 40, 43, 43B, 46, 47, 48)
- Liberal-Intellectual Principles: Focus on modern, scientific, and progressive thoughts. (Articles 44, 45, 48, 48A, 49, 50, 51)
3. Most Important Articles for Competitive Exams
- Article 39A: Equal justice and free legal aid to the poor.
- Article 40: Organization of Village Panchayats (Highly repeated in SSC & Railway exams).
- Article 44: Uniform Civil Code (UCC) for the citizens throughout the country.
- Article 45: Provision for early childhood care and education for children below the age of 6 years.
- Article 48A: Protection and improvement of environment, forests, and wildlife.
- Article 50: Separation of the Judiciary from the Executive.
- Article 51: Promotion of international peace and security.
4. Important Constitutional Amendments Related to DPSP
Examiners love asking about provisions added later via amendments. Memorize these:
- 42nd Amendment Act (1976): Added four new DPSPs to the list: Articles 39(f), 39A, 43A, and 48A.
- 44th Amendment Act (1978): Added Article 38(2), which requires the State to minimize inequalities in income, status, facilities, and opportunities.
- 86th Amendment Act (2002): Changed the subject matter of Article 45 and made elementary education a Fundamental Right under Article 21A.
- 97th Amendment Act (2011): Added Article 43B regarding the promotion of Co-operative Societies.
5. Common Exam Traps & Confusing Points 🚨
- Trap 1: “DPSPs are enforceable in a court of law.”
- Correction: False! They are strictly non-justiciable (Article 37).
- Trap 2: “DPSP establishes Political Democracy.”
- Correction: False! Fundamental Rights establish Political Democracy, whereas DPSPs establish Social and Economic Democracy.
- Trap 3: Article 45 vs. Article 21A.
- Correction: Article 21A is a Fundamental Right ensuring education for children aged 6 to 14 years. Article 45 is a DPSP directing the state to provide early childhood care for children below 6 years.
- Trap 4: DPSP vs. Fundamental Duties.
- Correction: DPSP (Part IV) are duties of the State. Fundamental Duties (Part IVA) are duties of the Citizens.
6. Exam Relevance: How Questions are Framed
- SSC / Railway / One-Day Exams: Focus heavily on direct factual data. They will ask you to match the Article number with its provision (e.g., “Which Article talks about the separation of judiciary from the executive?”).
- State PCS & UPSC Prelims: Focus on conceptual clarity. Questions revolve around the Sapru Committee, ideological classifications (identifying which principle is Gandhian vs. Socialistic), and the exact amendments that added specific DPSPs.
7. Practice MCQs (Test Your Knowledge)
Q1. From which country’s constitution was the concept of Directive Principles of State Policy borrowed?
A) USA
B) UK
C) Ireland
D) Australia
Answer: C) Ireland
Explanation: India borrowed DPSP from the Irish Constitution of 1937, which had originally copied it from the Spanish Constitution.
Q2. Which of the following Articles directs the State to organize Village Panchayats?
A) Article 39
B) Article 40
C) Article 42
D) Article 44
Answer: B) Article 40
Explanation: Article 40 is a Gandhian principle that instructs the State to organize village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers.
Q3. The 42nd Amendment Act (1976) added which of the following Directive Principles?
A) Uniform Civil Code
B) Organization of agriculture and animal husbandry
C) Protection and improvement of environment and safeguarding of forests and wildlife
D) Promotion of international peace
Answer: C) Protection and improvement of environment…
Explanation: Article 48A (protection of environment) was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976.
Q4. Which committee is known for making the first distinction between justiciable and non-justiciable rights in Indian constitutional history?
A) Swaran Singh Committee
B) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
C) Tej Bahadur Sapru Committee
D) Kothari Commission
Answer: C) Tej Bahadur Sapru Committee
Explanation: The Sapru Committee Report (1945) suggested dividing individual rights into justiciable (Fundamental Rights) and non-justiciable (DPSP) categories.
Q5. What is the main objective behind the inclusion of Directive Principles of State Policy in the Constitution?
A) To establish a secular state
B) To establish political democracy
C) To establish social and economic democracy
D) To check the arbitrary powers of the government
Answer: C) To establish social and economic democracy
Explanation: While Fundamental Rights ensure political democracy, the primary goal of DPSP is to realize the ideals of a welfare state by establishing social and economic democracy.
8. Short Revision Summary
| Feature | Details to Remember |
| Location | Part IV, Articles 36-51 |
| Source | Ireland |
| Nature | Non-justiciable, positive instructions to the State |
| Objective | Welfare State, Social & Economic Democracy |
| Key Additions | 42nd CAA (1976), 44th CAA (1978), 86th CAA (2002), 97th CAA (2011) |
| Key Articles | 40 (Panchayats), 44 (UCC), 50 (Judiciary & Executive separation) |